I am pleased to transmit legislation and supporting documents to implement
the United States Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (the "Agreement"). This
Agreement enhances our bilateral relationship with a strategic friend and
ally in the Middle East region and will promote economic growth and
prosperity in both nations.

In negotiating this Agreement, my Administration was guided by the
objectives set out in the Trade Act of 2002. The Agreement reflects my
Administration's commitment to opening markets and expanding opportunities
for American workers, farmers, ranchers, and businesses. The Agreement
will open Bahrain's market for U.S. manufactured goods, agricultural
products, and services. As soon as it enters into force, the Agreement
will eliminate tariffs on all manufactured goods that the United States
sells to Bahrain and immediately remove Bahrain's import duties on over 80
percent of U.S. agricultural products. The Agreement is also one of the
most comprehensive ever negotiated to reduce barriers to trade in services
and will create new opportunities for U.S. services firms.

The Agreement contains procedures that will facilitate cooperation between
the United States and Bahrain on environmental and labor matters. The
labor chapter of the Agreement reinforces Bahrain's recent legislative
actions to expand democracy and improve the protection of worker rights,
including trade union rights. Provisions in the Agreement requiring
effective enforce ment of environmental laws will contribute to high
levels of environmental protection.

The approval of this Agreement will be another significant step towards
creating a Middle East Free Trade Area by 2013. This Agreement offers the
United States yet another opportunity to encourage economic reform in a
moderate Muslim nation as we
have done through our free trade agreements with Jordan and Morocco.
Leaders in Bahrain are supporting the pursuit of social and economic
reforms in the region, encouraging foreign investment connected to
broad-based development, and providing better protection for women and
workers. It is strongly in our national interest to embrace and encourage
these reforms, and passing this legislation is a crucial step toward that
end.